Downtown St. Louis Apartment Residents Endure Weeks Without Hot Water
Residents of the historic Arcade Apartments in downtown St. Louis are facing a frustrating situation: two weeks and counting without hot water. This ongoing utility failure has prompted multiple calls to First Alert 4 and highlights a persistent struggle for basic living conditions.
The Historic Arcade Apartments Face Modern Challenges
The Arcade Apartments, a building celebrated for its historic charm after a 2015 restoration, has been home to residents like Grace Chung for a decade. Chung praises the preserved original lettering and gorgeous lobby, but this appreciation is now overshadowed by a critical lack of essential services.
Two Weeks Without a Hot Shower
The hot water issues reportedly began around November 10th and 11th, according to a Facebook group for residents. The absence of hot water has forced tenants to seek alternatives; long-time resident Dejoneiro Jones even had to stay at a hotel to bathe friends who were visiting. Akeem Shannon describes the water as “tepid lukewarm” at best, but mostly “frigid cold,” calling hot water a “basic right” for paying tenants.
Shannon notes that this isn’t the first time the building has experienced utility issues, citing ongoing problems with heat and air conditioning. He suggests a worsening trend, wondering if “budget constraints” are behind the difficulty in resolving these fundamental issues.
Seeking Accountability: From Local Management to National Ownership
Residents are careful to direct their frustration not at local management, but at the national owner, Dominium. Stacey White, a resident, acknowledges local management’s efforts to order parts and work within the constraints of the old building. However, tenants believe the ultimate responsibility lies higher up.
Pushing for Corporate Intervention
Dejoneiro Jones explicitly states, “I would like the owner to step up in some capacity and have… this problem rectified. It’s been going on too long.” Sandra Keys, a building captain and community advocate, confirms that residents have “been really pushing for the stakeholders to address the issues” and have reached out to corporate on “various occasions” to highlight habitability issues.
Arcade Apartments’ Response and Resident Demand for Transparency
A representative for Arcade Apartments issued a statement acknowledging the issue, stating they are “actively repairing the building’s water heating system” and that “residents are our top priority.” They assured regular updates and thanked residents for their “understanding and patience.”
However, residents like Grace Chung emphasize that better communication and transparency from Dominium are what they truly need. Chung argues that a lack of clear information compels them to “go to other means, like speak to the news and scream out in the streets.”
Legal Rights and Past Incidents
Missouri state law clearly mandates that renters must be provided with water service, including hot water and heat. This isn’t the first time hot water has been an issue at the Arcade Apartments; City of St. Louis Citizens Service Bureau reports show similar complaints earlier this year and last year, though no violations were found during inspections.
Beyond the hot water, residents also voice concerns about safety and limited access to some building entrances. The Arcade Apartments house a significant number of affordable housing units, with elderly, disabled individuals, and children among the affected tenants, making the lack of basic utilities even more critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main issue at Arcade Apartments?
Residents have been without hot water for over two weeks, impacting their daily lives and comfort. - Who is responsible for the building?
While local management is working on repairs, residents are urging the national owner, Dominium, to take more decisive action. - Is this a new problem for the building?
No, residents report ongoing utility issues, including past hot water outages, heat, and air conditioning problems. - Are tenants legally entitled to hot water in Missouri?
Yes, Missouri state law requires landlords to provide water service, which includes hot water and heat. - What are residents hoping for?
Residents want the problem rectified quickly, better communication and transparency from ownership, and a long-term solution to recurring utility issues.
For St. Louis renters, this situation at the Arcade Apartments serves as a stark reminder of the importance of understanding your tenant rights and demanding essential services from property owners.
Downtown St Louis Apartment Residents Endure Weeks Without Hot Water
